Gellung Warl Demands Withdrawal of Victoria Prison Bill

Gellung Warl, Victoria's First Peoples' representative body, has exercised its powers under the Statewide Treaty Act to demand the Victorian government withdraw the Corrections Amendment Bill 2026. The proposed legislation would grant authorities the power to deny prisoners their daily hour of open-air time based on operational considerations.

The Labor-led state government has acknowledged that the bill is incompatible with the state's Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, the United Nations' Nelson Mandela rules, and is partly incompatible with its treaty with First Nations People. Co-chairs Meriki Onus and Djaran Murray-Jackson argue the restrictions would disproportionately impact First Peoples and damage the relationship established by the treaty.

While the bill is expected to pass with support from the Coalition, it faces opposition from the Greens, Legalise Cannabis, the Animal Justice Party, and Libertarian MP David Limbrick. Greens leader Ellen Sandell criticized the government for ignoring treaty principles, while Limbrick argued that the state can be tough on crime without violating human rights.